May 2022 |
All text by Zorek Richards
unless otherwise noted |
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The governor of Texas, despite sending thoughts and prayers to the murdered and their families in Uvalde, also tweeted of his embarrassment some years ago that Texas didn’t lead the nation in gun sales. One of my senators, despite his also-proffered thoughts and prayers, received more money from the gun lobby in the last senatorial election than any other candidate. My governor and my senator and my past president, all members of that same political party, will be featured at the NRA Convention in Houston, a “celebration of American freedom” half a day’s drive from Uvalde.......If our personal rights become more important than our responsibilities to our neighbors, then we not only fail each other; we fail to live out our Christian faith, the faith which should offer a core area of agreement and union. --Greg Garrett
May 23, 2022: Baptist news Global: SBC report shows how five words turn abuse victim from ‘survivor’ to ‘whore’
Five words highlight the depths of Southern Baptist Convention leaders’ depravity.
Guidepost Solutions released the report of its independent investigation into the SBC Executive Committee’s “response to sexual abuse allegations” Sunday, May 22. Among other examples, the 288-page document tells what happened when Jennifer Lyell, a respected senior executive with Lifeway Christian Resources, the SBC’s publishing house, told her story of abuse.
Five words highlight the depths of Southern Baptist Convention leaders’ depravity.
Guidepost Solutions released the report of its independent investigation into the SBC Executive Committee’s “response to sexual abuse allegations” Sunday, May 22. Among other examples, the 288-page document tells what happened when Jennifer Lyell, a respected senior executive with Lifeway Christian Resources, the SBC’s publishing house, told her story of abuse.
May 23, 2022: Christian Headlines: Russell Moore Calls Actions of SBC Leaders ‘Blasphemy’ following Release of Sex Abuse Report
On Sunday, the SBC publicly released a 288-page report from independent domestic and internal investigation firm Guidepost Solutions outlining the denomination’s failure to handle allegations of sexual abuse appropriately.
Moore, who resigned from his position with the ERLC last year, in part because of his concerns about the denomination’s treatment of sex abuse allegations, asserted that the word “crisis” was not severe enough to describe the denomination’s failure to address issues of abuse.
“They were right. I was wrong to call sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) a crisis. Crisis is too small a word,” Moore wrote. “It is an apocalypse,” he asserted.
On Sunday, the SBC publicly released a 288-page report from independent domestic and internal investigation firm Guidepost Solutions outlining the denomination’s failure to handle allegations of sexual abuse appropriately.
Moore, who resigned from his position with the ERLC last year, in part because of his concerns about the denomination’s treatment of sex abuse allegations, asserted that the word “crisis” was not severe enough to describe the denomination’s failure to address issues of abuse.
“They were right. I was wrong to call sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) a crisis. Crisis is too small a word,” Moore wrote. “It is an apocalypse,” he asserted.
May 21, 2022: Christian Today: Islamic State executes 20 Christians as warning to believers
The so-called Islamic State has released a video showing the execution of 20 men said to be Christians.
The video was released to the terrorist group's Amaq news channel.
The so-called Islamic State has released a video showing the execution of 20 men said to be Christians.
The video was released to the terrorist group's Amaq news channel.
Christians in India’s central state of Chhattisgarh are accusing authorities of not taking action against a police officer who burned down their house church building and threatened to arrest them in a fabricated case and kill them if they continued to hold worship services.
The house church belonging to a tribal (aboriginal) Christian, Kadti Gurva from Kistaram village in Sukma district’s Konta area, was burned down by a police officer identified as Sub-Inspector Bhavesh Shende from the Kistaram police station in February, but no action has been taken against the officer, Morning Star News reported this week.
--May 21, 2022: Christian Post: Christians in India say police officer who burned down their church is threatening to kill them
The house church belonging to a tribal (aboriginal) Christian, Kadti Gurva from Kistaram village in Sukma district’s Konta area, was burned down by a police officer identified as Sub-Inspector Bhavesh Shende from the Kistaram police station in February, but no action has been taken against the officer, Morning Star News reported this week.
--May 21, 2022: Christian Post: Christians in India say police officer who burned down their church is threatening to kill them
May 21, 2022:
Jonathan Cahn was named one of the top 40 spiritual leaders of the past 40 years to have radically impacted the world. Called the prophetic voice of this generation, He has spoken on Capitol Hill, at the United Nations and to millions of people around the world.
A lot of Christians seem to think his books reveal some prophetic messages (for Christians AND America...because, of course, America and Christianity are the same thing for many folks). He is a gifted cheerleader.. no more no less. He finds stuff he can bloviate about and creates what he calls "prophecies" puts them in books and movies makes his rounds through all the Christian Nationalist sites. (Charisma, Townhall, Newsmax, Jim Bakker show, Fox News radio Lauren Greene etc, etc.) Even Tucker Carlson touts Cahn.
Jonathan Cahn was named one of the top 40 spiritual leaders of the past 40 years to have radically impacted the world. Called the prophetic voice of this generation, He has spoken on Capitol Hill, at the United Nations and to millions of people around the world.
A lot of Christians seem to think his books reveal some prophetic messages (for Christians AND America...because, of course, America and Christianity are the same thing for many folks). He is a gifted cheerleader.. no more no less. He finds stuff he can bloviate about and creates what he calls "prophecies" puts them in books and movies makes his rounds through all the Christian Nationalist sites. (Charisma, Townhall, Newsmax, Jim Bakker show, Fox News radio Lauren Greene etc, etc.) Even Tucker Carlson touts Cahn.
Hatred will always be here on this planet, as long as sinful human beings exist. But it is a crime against humanity to be part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
We can have our strong convictions. We can put our stakes in the ground and stand for what we believe to be right.
But we must not respond to hatred and lies with our own hateful rhetoric. Instead, in the words of Paul, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
Let the baseless hatred stop with us. -Dr Michael Brown: Baseless hatred is destroying our nation
We can have our strong convictions. We can put our stakes in the ground and stand for what we believe to be right.
But we must not respond to hatred and lies with our own hateful rhetoric. Instead, in the words of Paul, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
Let the baseless hatred stop with us. -Dr Michael Brown: Baseless hatred is destroying our nation
May 20, 2022: The Christian Beat: Hezekiah Walker Brings Comfort & Hope To Buffalo With Inspirational Concert May 22
Hezekiah Walker’s music is part of the soundtrack of the African American church, and it is in the most challenging times that communities look to the church for comfort.
In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Buffalo, New York, Hezekiah Walker received a call from city officials to help their community heal.
Hezekiah Walker’s music is part of the soundtrack of the African American church, and it is in the most challenging times that communities look to the church for comfort.
In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Buffalo, New York, Hezekiah Walker received a call from city officials to help their community heal.
| --Karl Barth |
(China—May 18, 2022) The Chinese Communist Party continues to crack down on Christian websites. An online website that served Chinese Christians for 21 years has now completely disappeared. Its domain name servers in mainland China have been blocked, the website has officially announced its closure, and users no longer have access to the site.
A pastor was searching for Christian poetry when he stumbled upon a well-known website,
“Jonah Home.” After clicking on the home page, he found that the website was closed, and a striking text appeared on the homepage:
Due to reasons known to everyone, from now on, this site can no longer serve Brothers and Sisters (in Christ), thank you for your company and support in the past twenty-one years! The disappearance of a website is just the disappearance of a website, and it does not hold any meaning. Nothing else stopped at this moment except that a URL cannot be opened again from this moment forward, so there is no need to have lingering feelings, let’s continue to move forward. China Aid: Censorship surged for online religious forums as CCP shuts down 21-year-old Christian website
A pastor was searching for Christian poetry when he stumbled upon a well-known website,
“Jonah Home.” After clicking on the home page, he found that the website was closed, and a striking text appeared on the homepage:
Due to reasons known to everyone, from now on, this site can no longer serve Brothers and Sisters (in Christ), thank you for your company and support in the past twenty-one years! The disappearance of a website is just the disappearance of a website, and it does not hold any meaning. Nothing else stopped at this moment except that a URL cannot be opened again from this moment forward, so there is no need to have lingering feelings, let’s continue to move forward. China Aid: Censorship surged for online religious forums as CCP shuts down 21-year-old Christian website
The preacher must be concerned about the whole [person]. Not merely [their] soul but [their] body. It's all right to talk about heaven. I talk about it because I believe firmly in immortality. But you've got to talk about the earth. It's all right to talk about long white robes over yonder, but I want a suit and some shoes to wear down here. It's all right to talk about the streets flowing with milk and honey in heaven, but I want some food to eat down here. It's even all right to talk about the new Jerusalem. But one day we must begin to talk about the new Chicago, the new Atlanta, the new New York, the new America. And any religion that professes to be concerned about the souls of [people] and is not concerned about the slums that cripple the souls--the economic conditions that stagnate the soul and the city governments that may damn the soul--is a dry, dead do-nothing religion in need of new blood.
--------Source: Raphael G. Warnock, "The Divided Mind of the Black Church: Theology, Piety, and Public Witness." New York: New York University Press, 2014. (p.43)
--------Source: Raphael G. Warnock, "The Divided Mind of the Black Church: Theology, Piety, and Public Witness." New York: New York University Press, 2014. (p.43)
One reason gentleness matters is because of how rare it is. You don’t need me to tell you this. Everyone knows this. Just five minutes on social media, just a short amount of time on twitter, and you quickly realize that gentleness is in short supply.
Instead, people are harsh, aggressive, judgmental, combative, and even mean. But very few are gentle.
And I wish we could say that Christians were always different. I wish I could say that most Christians on social media exhibit gentleness. But I think we know that sadly that is not true. Gentleness is not just rare among non-Christians; sometimes it is even rare among Christians.
Perhaps this should come as no surprise. Gentleness is just not a trait our world values. If you go to the self-help section of your local bookstore, you’d be hard pressed to find books on how you can become more gentle. If a church announced that they hired a new senior pastor that was “gentle,” I doubt many would flock to hear him. - Michael C Kruger; Reformed Theological Seminary
Instead, people are harsh, aggressive, judgmental, combative, and even mean. But very few are gentle.
And I wish we could say that Christians were always different. I wish I could say that most Christians on social media exhibit gentleness. But I think we know that sadly that is not true. Gentleness is not just rare among non-Christians; sometimes it is even rare among Christians.
Perhaps this should come as no surprise. Gentleness is just not a trait our world values. If you go to the self-help section of your local bookstore, you’d be hard pressed to find books on how you can become more gentle. If a church announced that they hired a new senior pastor that was “gentle,” I doubt many would flock to hear him. - Michael C Kruger; Reformed Theological Seminary
Over the years, I’ve had a few Facebook “friends” (people I never met but who professed to be Christians) who trafficked in slandering some of my friends. Some of the accusations leveled against my friends were not only false, but ridiculous.
As soon as I became aware of this, I immediately unfriended them (and unfollowed them on Twitter).
If a person — even a professing Christian — defames a brother or sister in Christ, they are slandering us, for “we are members of one another.”
According to the Bible, the sin of slander is just as serious as murder, theft, and adultery. Scripture exhorts us to “have nothing to do with” such people, until they repent (see Titus 3:10 and Romans 16:17).
Feeding slanderers is to participate in their sin and listening to gossip is like drinking poison:
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” (Proverbs 18:8, 26:22) -Frank Viola
As soon as I became aware of this, I immediately unfriended them (and unfollowed them on Twitter).
If a person — even a professing Christian — defames a brother or sister in Christ, they are slandering us, for “we are members of one another.”
According to the Bible, the sin of slander is just as serious as murder, theft, and adultery. Scripture exhorts us to “have nothing to do with” such people, until they repent (see Titus 3:10 and Romans 16:17).
Feeding slanderers is to participate in their sin and listening to gossip is like drinking poison:
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” (Proverbs 18:8, 26:22) -Frank Viola
The IRS has received a complaint from a church-state watchdog group concerning the pastor's sermon in which he forbade Christians to vote for Democrats.
A nonprofit organization called Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service or IRS on Monday over Pastor Greg Locke's recent Sunday sermon at Global Vision Bible Church of Mount Juliet in Tennessee, which they believed violated the Johnson Amendment. This provision in the U.S. tax code prohibits 501 non-profit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Churches that meet certain requirements are classified as 501 non-profit organizations. -Christianity Daily: IRS Pressured To Investigate Pastor Greg Locke For Telling Church Not To Vote Democrat
A nonprofit organization called Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service or IRS on Monday over Pastor Greg Locke's recent Sunday sermon at Global Vision Bible Church of Mount Juliet in Tennessee, which they believed violated the Johnson Amendment. This provision in the U.S. tax code prohibits 501 non-profit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Churches that meet certain requirements are classified as 501 non-profit organizations. -Christianity Daily: IRS Pressured To Investigate Pastor Greg Locke For Telling Church Not To Vote Democrat
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If his party wins, he wins. If it loses, he not only loses but faces an existential crisis. It’s not just that he’s not ok; he cannot be ok. Why? Because he’s relocated his peace from the unchanging promises of God to the changing winds of politics. (132) -Adam Mabry; Stop Taking Sides
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Today’s social media culture, coupled as it is with such easy access to information and literature, has created a vast network of armchair theologians. This reality comes with both positives and negatives. We are all theologians to some degree, whether we realize it or not. More people thinking about theological issues and getting involved in those conversations is a good thing. But the situation presents a few risks as well.
One significant risk for any theologian is that of absorbing a wealth of knowledge without putting it into practice. Several years ago, I saw the Disney movie Meet the Robinsons. I really don’t remember a whole lot from the film, but one part stuck with me. A young boy is huddled in a corner, trapped by a massive T-Rex. Fortunately for the boy, the dinosaur cannot reach him because its head keeps getting in the way. The T-Rex turns to the main villain and says, “I have a big head and little arms. I’m just not sure how well this plan was thought through.”
The moment offers a bit of on-screen comedic relief but also serves as a word of caution for believers today. If we fail to practice what we believe, we become just like the T-Rex in the film: big heads but totally ineffective in carrying out our mission. While it ended up being a good thing in the movie that the beast couldn’t use its arms, the same cannot be said for us who are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world. -BLOG: T-REX THEOLOGIANSPosted by Carissa Jones | May 2, 2022
One significant risk for any theologian is that of absorbing a wealth of knowledge without putting it into practice. Several years ago, I saw the Disney movie Meet the Robinsons. I really don’t remember a whole lot from the film, but one part stuck with me. A young boy is huddled in a corner, trapped by a massive T-Rex. Fortunately for the boy, the dinosaur cannot reach him because its head keeps getting in the way. The T-Rex turns to the main villain and says, “I have a big head and little arms. I’m just not sure how well this plan was thought through.”
The moment offers a bit of on-screen comedic relief but also serves as a word of caution for believers today. If we fail to practice what we believe, we become just like the T-Rex in the film: big heads but totally ineffective in carrying out our mission. While it ended up being a good thing in the movie that the beast couldn’t use its arms, the same cannot be said for us who are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world. -BLOG: T-REX THEOLOGIANSPosted by Carissa Jones | May 2, 2022
May 16, 2022:
Jesus did not say "you have light and salt to dispense to the world." He said "You ARE the salt and the light of the world."
A believers very presence in the world acts as salt and light preventing corruption and exposing error.
To act as salt and light a believer must interract with the world of corruption and darkness. In Christ, he becomes free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2). He becomes a preservative of truth and light in a decaying world of corruption and darkness around him.
"If any man shall come after me let him deny himself." (Matt 16:24).
Love for self is innate and is the primary concern of an unbeliever. Three characteristics of man are self, family & possessions. Anyone placing these before Him, cannot fruitfully function as His disciple. We should not love God with the love that belongs to self, family and possessions. The love we have for Him should be unique. Hence, the greatest commands according to Jesus is to "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart mind and soul" and followed by "Love your neighbor as yourself." These commandments are not equal in value and reversing their order effectively kills any Christian witness you have and your preservative value as salt and light is vanquished.
If all salt and light were removed from the earth the world would become most chaotic. Man, as a creation of God and in His image, is instilled with a natural desire for the spiritual and Jesus bridges that connection. Take that out of the picture and man has no fixed moral compass. Devastation would likely become the rule rather than the occasional anomaly
Jesus did not say "you have light and salt to dispense to the world." He said "You ARE the salt and the light of the world."
A believers very presence in the world acts as salt and light preventing corruption and exposing error.
To act as salt and light a believer must interract with the world of corruption and darkness. In Christ, he becomes free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2). He becomes a preservative of truth and light in a decaying world of corruption and darkness around him.
"If any man shall come after me let him deny himself." (Matt 16:24).
Love for self is innate and is the primary concern of an unbeliever. Three characteristics of man are self, family & possessions. Anyone placing these before Him, cannot fruitfully function as His disciple. We should not love God with the love that belongs to self, family and possessions. The love we have for Him should be unique. Hence, the greatest commands according to Jesus is to "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart mind and soul" and followed by "Love your neighbor as yourself." These commandments are not equal in value and reversing their order effectively kills any Christian witness you have and your preservative value as salt and light is vanquished.
If all salt and light were removed from the earth the world would become most chaotic. Man, as a creation of God and in His image, is instilled with a natural desire for the spiritual and Jesus bridges that connection. Take that out of the picture and man has no fixed moral compass. Devastation would likely become the rule rather than the occasional anomaly
Politicians no longer offer quips to be funny but to do damage, inflict harm, humiliate others. The real purpose of the quip is to have it replayed on Twitter, Instagram or the news channels.
Now quips live in the gutter. Politicians throw out quips like a short-order cook pitching out garbage from the back of a Waffle House. For generations, democracies have relied on social capital (extensive social networks with high levels of trust), strong anchor institutions, and shared stories. Jonathan Haidt says, “Social media has weakened all three.”
Quips are now poisoned arrows dipped in the vitriol of a brew of anger, resentment and disdain. There’s no humor, just a mean-spirited determination to inflict damage to opponents. Even a casual study of the quips, tweets and slogans reveal words reeking of ugliness: “crazy,” “sick,” “stupid,” “loser,” “socialist,” “communist.” -Baptist News Global
Now quips live in the gutter. Politicians throw out quips like a short-order cook pitching out garbage from the back of a Waffle House. For generations, democracies have relied on social capital (extensive social networks with high levels of trust), strong anchor institutions, and shared stories. Jonathan Haidt says, “Social media has weakened all three.”
Quips are now poisoned arrows dipped in the vitriol of a brew of anger, resentment and disdain. There’s no humor, just a mean-spirited determination to inflict damage to opponents. Even a casual study of the quips, tweets and slogans reveal words reeking of ugliness: “crazy,” “sick,” “stupid,” “loser,” “socialist,” “communist.” -Baptist News Global
May 13, 2022: The Alabama Baptist: Indonesian Protestant gets jail term for ‘insulting’ Islam
A Protestant politician was sentenced to five months in an Indonesian jail for tweeting a remark considered insulting to Islam.
An Indonesian court on April 19 convicted Ferdinand Hutahaean of “hate speech” for a Twitter posting in which he called the god of Islam “weak,” reported the human rights group International Christian Concern. Suparman Nyompa, chairman of the judges’ council, said Hutahaean was “guilty of intentionally spreading fake news causing a stir in society.”
A Protestant politician was sentenced to five months in an Indonesian jail for tweeting a remark considered insulting to Islam.
An Indonesian court on April 19 convicted Ferdinand Hutahaean of “hate speech” for a Twitter posting in which he called the god of Islam “weak,” reported the human rights group International Christian Concern. Suparman Nyompa, chairman of the judges’ council, said Hutahaean was “guilty of intentionally spreading fake news causing a stir in society.”
At first blush, an effort known as “Pennsylvania for Christ” seems like a run-of-the-mill evangelistic campaign. Its stated mission is “to reestablish the kingdom of God in PA with word and action. We create events that help us accomplish the mission of putting Christ at the center of our state.” And they’ve gone about their ministry as one would expect. They held an event with speakers and praise music, announced a special time of prayer and fasting, and put out high-production videos featuring a minister, b-roll footage, and inspirational music.
But if you pay closer attention, you’ll notice Pennsylvania for Christ is doing more than trying to save souls. This movement’s praying for votes in the Republican primary for governor. Their slogans like “reestablishing the kingdom of God in Pennsylvania” and “we will claim Pennsylvania for Christ” mean putting State Sen. Doug Mastriano in the governor’s mansion. His ascension would suggest “an awakening is coming.” -Christian Nationalism as the Keystone
But if you pay closer attention, you’ll notice Pennsylvania for Christ is doing more than trying to save souls. This movement’s praying for votes in the Republican primary for governor. Their slogans like “reestablishing the kingdom of God in Pennsylvania” and “we will claim Pennsylvania for Christ” mean putting State Sen. Doug Mastriano in the governor’s mansion. His ascension would suggest “an awakening is coming.” -Christian Nationalism as the Keystone
In American church culture many shy away from talking about God establishing His throne for judgment. Judgment is perceived all too often as a bad thing (and it can be if we are talking about evil human judgments). But judgment, righteous and just judgments, are a good thing, a wonderful thing for the oppressed—those who are being unjustly treated and harmed. Real justice is the answer to the cry of the person wronged when he cries out, “It’s not fair.” It fixes that situation. God’s rule, His Kingship (throne) is established to right the wrongs. -Jerry Cisar; Gulf Coast Community Church
May 9, 2022: Anglican Ink: French pastor murdered and his church burned to the ground
The pastor of an evangelical church in Saint-Laurent du Maroni, French Guyana was killed in a shooting on the night of 3 May.
A few hours later, his church was set on fire and destroyed completely. Futhermore, in the shooting at least seven other people were injured, including two who were taken to hospital in critical condition.
Pastor A. Kalloe was a member of the Guyana branch of the National Council of Evangelicals in France (CNEF 973), and the day before his murder he had met with a delegation from the CNEF France, who were visiting the country.
The pastor of an evangelical church in Saint-Laurent du Maroni, French Guyana was killed in a shooting on the night of 3 May.
A few hours later, his church was set on fire and destroyed completely. Futhermore, in the shooting at least seven other people were injured, including two who were taken to hospital in critical condition.
Pastor A. Kalloe was a member of the Guyana branch of the National Council of Evangelicals in France (CNEF 973), and the day before his murder he had met with a delegation from the CNEF France, who were visiting the country.
Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other by Sherry Turkle [2012]
A groundbreaking book by one of the most important thinkers of our time shows how technology is warping our social lives and our inner ones
Technology has become the architect of our intimacies. Online, we fall prey to the illusion of companionship, gathering thousands of Twitter and Facebook friends, and confusing tweets and wall posts with authentic communication. But this relentless connection leads to a deep solitude. MIT professor Sherry Turkle argues that as technology ramps up, our emotional lives ramp down. Based on hundreds of interviews and with a new introduction taking us to the present day, Alone Together describes changing, unsettling relationships between friends, lovers, and families.
A groundbreaking book by one of the most important thinkers of our time shows how technology is warping our social lives and our inner ones
Technology has become the architect of our intimacies. Online, we fall prey to the illusion of companionship, gathering thousands of Twitter and Facebook friends, and confusing tweets and wall posts with authentic communication. But this relentless connection leads to a deep solitude. MIT professor Sherry Turkle argues that as technology ramps up, our emotional lives ramp down. Based on hundreds of interviews and with a new introduction taking us to the present day, Alone Together describes changing, unsettling relationships between friends, lovers, and families.
The original Church was persecuted and often forced to meet secretly in homes and catacombs. Now, Christianity is so marginalized in a culture where buildings that hold Christian services are now synonymous with “churches.” Hence, the faith has been relegated to a one-hour service in a building on Sundays. .............In the New Testament, every person had to be born from above and personally receive Jesus to be a true Christian (John 1:12-13, John 3:3-8). Often, in institutional churches, a person is born in a Christian family, baptized as an infant, and grows up as a cultural Christian without personally encountering Jesus. Unfortunately for them, God has no grandchildren. He demands that every individual become His son (Romans 8:14-16). -Dr Joseph Mattera; Resurrection Church
“The Scripture does not say of Abraham that he believed the text and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Abraham believed God. It was not what Abraham believed, but who Abraham believed that truly counted”
-AW Tozer
-AW Tozer
May 6, 2022:
Legislating morality doesnt actually change people. It just makes them look like they are changed.
As Christians we have to ask what we are really after. Do we want people to look like they are changed by Jesus or do we want people to actually be changed by Jesus? Do we want to encourage people—albeit unintentionally—to have a form of godliness but reject the power of Christ that actually transforms their lives? (2 Timothy 3:5)
2) Legislating morality is not how Jesus worked or works. (He is unchanging)
Jesus rejected political influence when He was on this earth because that is not His chosen method to further His Kingdom in this world. He explicitly said that His Kingdom is not an earthly one (John 18:36). When people tried to make Him their king, He escaped the crowds (John 6:15).
Jesus taught us to preach the gospel to every person in the power of the Holy Spirit and teach believers to obey the things He commanded. That’s how people come to faith in Christ and grow in faith in Christ, straight from the mouth of Jesus. Not through Christian morals having political influence. Not through Christianity being the dominant culture-shaping voice in society.
3) Legislating morality pushes people away from Christ.
People can’t genuinely come to know Jesus when pressured. That’s the whole reason God created us with free will. When we use political policy and influence to try to get people to live out Christian morality, it only pushes people to resent and reject Jesus.
4) Legislating morality is about preserving our own comfort, not seeing people come to Christ,.
The Constitution affords rights to all citizens of our nation of free speech, freedom of the press, freedom to practice their respective faiths or not practice any faith at all. These rights don’t only apply to Christians. By the way some Christians react to people doing and saying things that are different than their Christian beliefs, you wouldn’t know it though. People have a right to live in ways you disagree with.
That right, greater than being afforded by American law even, is afforded by God because He gives all humans free will and calls them to follow Him by choice, not force. No, He doesn’t agree with sin or rebellion against Him. Yes, there are eternal consequences for unrepentant sin against God. Yes, God wants every person to repent of their sin and be saved. Every person, however, has to respond to His call by their own choice (Acts 17:30-31).
Probably less then 4 or 5 years ago I would have disregarded everything I wrote above as being the ramblings of a left wing progressive misinterpreting the Bible to fit their own agenda. But since then I have had a heart adjustment...and understand the Christian Nationalist perspectives I was pushing without realizing, at that time, that there was such a thing as "Christian Nationalism."
Legislating morality doesnt actually change people. It just makes them look like they are changed.
As Christians we have to ask what we are really after. Do we want people to look like they are changed by Jesus or do we want people to actually be changed by Jesus? Do we want to encourage people—albeit unintentionally—to have a form of godliness but reject the power of Christ that actually transforms their lives? (2 Timothy 3:5)
2) Legislating morality is not how Jesus worked or works. (He is unchanging)
Jesus rejected political influence when He was on this earth because that is not His chosen method to further His Kingdom in this world. He explicitly said that His Kingdom is not an earthly one (John 18:36). When people tried to make Him their king, He escaped the crowds (John 6:15).
Jesus taught us to preach the gospel to every person in the power of the Holy Spirit and teach believers to obey the things He commanded. That’s how people come to faith in Christ and grow in faith in Christ, straight from the mouth of Jesus. Not through Christian morals having political influence. Not through Christianity being the dominant culture-shaping voice in society.
3) Legislating morality pushes people away from Christ.
People can’t genuinely come to know Jesus when pressured. That’s the whole reason God created us with free will. When we use political policy and influence to try to get people to live out Christian morality, it only pushes people to resent and reject Jesus.
4) Legislating morality is about preserving our own comfort, not seeing people come to Christ,.
The Constitution affords rights to all citizens of our nation of free speech, freedom of the press, freedom to practice their respective faiths or not practice any faith at all. These rights don’t only apply to Christians. By the way some Christians react to people doing and saying things that are different than their Christian beliefs, you wouldn’t know it though. People have a right to live in ways you disagree with.
That right, greater than being afforded by American law even, is afforded by God because He gives all humans free will and calls them to follow Him by choice, not force. No, He doesn’t agree with sin or rebellion against Him. Yes, there are eternal consequences for unrepentant sin against God. Yes, God wants every person to repent of their sin and be saved. Every person, however, has to respond to His call by their own choice (Acts 17:30-31).
Probably less then 4 or 5 years ago I would have disregarded everything I wrote above as being the ramblings of a left wing progressive misinterpreting the Bible to fit their own agenda. But since then I have had a heart adjustment...and understand the Christian Nationalist perspectives I was pushing without realizing, at that time, that there was such a thing as "Christian Nationalism."
Although the Bill of Rights protects individual speech, assembly and religious freedoms, it does not allow the government or others to dictate morality or ethics. Legislation cannot tell someone how to live their life if they’re not harming anyone else. Today, many individuals and groups are attempting to use legislation and the courts to shape purely moral or ethical beliefs of often dubious religious origin.
Neither Christian nor Jewish nor Buddhist nor Islamic tradition should invade an individual’s ability to live their life in a moral and ethical way. Religious beliefs cannot substitute for scientific or medical knowledge.
Legislating for everyone based upon an individual’s or group’s beliefs is illegitimate and subverts the will of our Founding Fathers. -Joan Korb
Neither Christian nor Jewish nor Buddhist nor Islamic tradition should invade an individual’s ability to live their life in a moral and ethical way. Religious beliefs cannot substitute for scientific or medical knowledge.
Legislating for everyone based upon an individual’s or group’s beliefs is illegitimate and subverts the will of our Founding Fathers. -Joan Korb
History is full of example of churches and governments trying to control human behaviors with absolutely no lasting effect. This was pointedly remarked on by the extremely conservative former U. S. Senator Barry Goldwater in an opinion published in the Washington Post on June 10, 1993. If you remember, the big issue of the day was how to treat gays in the military. Goldwater, a Colonel in the Arizona National Guard, wrote:
“Everyone knows that gays have served honorably in the military since at least the time of Julius Caesar.”
He continued: “The conservative movement, to which I subscribe, has as one of its basic tenets the belief that government should stay out of people’s private lives. Government governs best when it governs least – and stays out of the impossible task of legislating morality. But legislating someone’s version of morality is exactly what we do by perpetuating discrimination against gays.” -Jim Elliot
“Everyone knows that gays have served honorably in the military since at least the time of Julius Caesar.”
He continued: “The conservative movement, to which I subscribe, has as one of its basic tenets the belief that government should stay out of people’s private lives. Government governs best when it governs least – and stays out of the impossible task of legislating morality. But legislating someone’s version of morality is exactly what we do by perpetuating discrimination against gays.” -Jim Elliot
The government is incapable of correctly and comprehensively codifying morality. Morality is real and objective, but people have imperfect grasps of that objective reality. People consequently disagree on most moral questions and make many errors in discerning right from wrong. Governments are likewise fallible and regularly enforce false moral views. Laws change, so if a government enforces mostly true moral views at one time, it may enforce the wrong views after a change in leadership. Moreover, because the virtuous course of action differs greatly based on specific circumstances, it may not be possible, even theoretically, to make a list of laws that accurately represents what is moral or immoral in all situations. Contemporary virtue ethicists term this problem the “uncodifiability of ethics.” Philosopher John McDowell explains: “If one attempted to reduce one’s conception of what virtue requires to a set of rules, then, however subtle and thoughtful one was in drawing up the code, cases would inevitably turn up in which a mechanical application of the rules would strike one as wrong.” -Nathan Mech
Prayer Still Works by Kenneth Sullivan Jr is designed to examine the power of prayer through a number of powerful biblical examples alongside illustrations from our age. While reading this book you will gain insight on how to tap into the power of prayer and to fully realize how God's spiritual authority directly flows into your life. Prayer Still works today!
Prayer can be used to address every single human issue on earth. Through prayer, we are not only able to commune with God, but we invite God into our lives and affairs. Prayer is not some outdated and antiquated approach to life matters whose effectiveness has expired; but it is, in fact, still potent and powerful to heal, to change circumstances, and to address whatever we may be facing, right now. Readers will be encouraged by several examples of prayer, and they will be equipped with a guide to help them build a stronger, richer, more effective prayer life. Experience the power of prayer being activated in your life like never before!
Prayer can be used to address every single human issue on earth. Through prayer, we are not only able to commune with God, but we invite God into our lives and affairs. Prayer is not some outdated and antiquated approach to life matters whose effectiveness has expired; but it is, in fact, still potent and powerful to heal, to change circumstances, and to address whatever we may be facing, right now. Readers will be encouraged by several examples of prayer, and they will be equipped with a guide to help them build a stronger, richer, more effective prayer life. Experience the power of prayer being activated in your life like never before!
“When it comes to a firmly entrenched Christian nationalist, we do have to remember that we are trying to dispute not only an individual but their favorite TV network and the ever self-reinforcing bubble of opinion fed to them on social media through algorithms sifting through their clicks and likes, and the hundreds or even thousands of members of their church where they just praise Jesus and ask him to save the United States while listening to heart-thumping rock music and indoctrinating sermons,” she said during an April 27 event celebrating the release of her new book, The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People are Drawn In and How to Talk Across the Divide. -Jeff Brumly; Baptist News Global
Last Thursday, on the eve of testifying in a lawsuit that seeks to prevent her from running for re-election, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the legendary or notorious Georgia Republican, granted an hourlong interview in her home to an unlikely outlet: the far-right Catholic news organization Church Militant, which for years has positioned itself as one of the noisiest and most outlandish partisans in the Roman Catholic Church's ongoing fight with itself. Greene is an evangelical Protestant, not a Catholic, but Church Militant is making the most of this opportunity, and has featured segments of the interview all week, starting with its opening video on Monday, entitled "Marjorie for Pope."
In the interview, Greene rehashed old beefs, described herself as a victim of Jan. 6, said the United States is so sinful she doesn't understand "why God hasn't destroyed us" and — most exciting for Church Militant — suggested that Satan is controlling the Catholic Church. -Kathryn Joyce: Salon
In the interview, Greene rehashed old beefs, described herself as a victim of Jan. 6, said the United States is so sinful she doesn't understand "why God hasn't destroyed us" and — most exciting for Church Militant — suggested that Satan is controlling the Catholic Church. -Kathryn Joyce: Salon
From the beginning, the religious right was the backbone of Trump's Big Lie. As Kathryn Joyce reported for Salon on the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, in the run-up to the riot, "allegations about the 'stolen' election became nearly inseparable from messages of apocalyptic faith." The crowd that turned out that day was largely driven by religious fervor. Popular religious right figures were responsible for sending thousands of people to the Capitol to do Trump's bidding. Since then, the Christian nationalist devotion to the Big Lie has only grown stronger. Six out of 10 white evangelicals claim Biden stole the 2020 election, compared to 37% of white Christians from mainline churches.
The enthusiasm for the Big Lie among white evangelicals comes back primarily to one thing: Racism. -Amanda Marcotte; Salon
The enthusiasm for the Big Lie among white evangelicals comes back primarily to one thing: Racism. -Amanda Marcotte; Salon
When God does allow difficult things to happen in our lives, He is like an earthly parent trying to correct a wayward child. Sometimes we get on the wrong path in life and God needs to correct our course. Like any loving parent, God wants us to follow the right road, even if getting on that road requires discipline and sacrifice.
Almost every child has heard his parent say at one time or another, “Because I said so!” It’s the parent’s way of saying, “You can’t possibly understand why I’m doing this, but you have to trust me.” It works the same way with God. While we can’t possibly hope to understand how and why God works in our lives the way He sometimes does (Isaiah 55:8-9), we are called to trust in Him completely. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). -Brad Schultz; Zion Evangelical Church |
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The story of Father Stuart Long is one of mistakes, sacrifice, heartbreak, forgiveness, and on top of it all, persistence. Based on a true story, the Mark Wahlberg-produced Father Stu describes the surprisingly heartwarming (and heart-wrenching) life of the boxer-turned-priest as he navigates his broken family life, the loss of his career, the eventual failing of his body, and the astonishing development of his relationship with God. It serves as a reminder that everyone is not who they seem to be, and even moreso, to never underestimate a person’s ability to change for the better...............Father Stu has its flaws but, in the end, I found it to be an inspiring story about perseverance, self-sacrifice, and prejudice. As he said to the rector, the Church didn’t want to give him a chance because they were afraid he would succeed – and what would that say about the Church, a boxer with a criminal record becoming a role model? The Church should be more concerned with doing good than with its P.R, and this movie is a poignant reminder of the human flaws all of us carry. Likewise, the lesson of the story is powerful; everyone, no matter their past, has the capacity for good and to be a warrior for Christ. -Grant Allesandro; The Torch
Leon James Francis, currently a judge in Southern California and formerly a U.S. Marine Corps officer, has completed his new book, “Messengers of Isaiah”: an inspirational story of the limitlessness of faith as experienced by one small, country church who dared to say yes to God when He called.
Francis shares, “It was Easter of 1994, and the congregation of Plains Community Baptist Church was celebrating the completion of the new temple, this sixty-one-member rural church had sacrificed twenty years to build. During their worship service, amid a storm, a man dressed a vagrant, whom no one knew or had ever seen, entered the auditorium unannounced and then marched uninvited directly to the front. To their mutual bewilderment, the stranger announced he was a messenger of God. He told them, “Destroy this church, and on the third day, God will raise it up greater than you could ever imagine.” They promptly threw him out. But after suffering a series of haunting dreams, suggesting the stranger was truly sent by God, they reluctantly but unanimously agreed to do as they believed God had commanded—by burning their beloved temple to the ground. However, on the third day, thereafter, the temple was not restored as prophesied but rather remained in ashes. Instead, what happened next was far more miraculous and mysterious and truly beyond their greatest imagination.”
Published by Covenant Books of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, Leon James Francis’ new book tells of great miracles that come from trusting faith when acting upon a difficult, seemingly impossible calling from God.
Francis shares, “It was Easter of 1994, and the congregation of Plains Community Baptist Church was celebrating the completion of the new temple, this sixty-one-member rural church had sacrificed twenty years to build. During their worship service, amid a storm, a man dressed a vagrant, whom no one knew or had ever seen, entered the auditorium unannounced and then marched uninvited directly to the front. To their mutual bewilderment, the stranger announced he was a messenger of God. He told them, “Destroy this church, and on the third day, God will raise it up greater than you could ever imagine.” They promptly threw him out. But after suffering a series of haunting dreams, suggesting the stranger was truly sent by God, they reluctantly but unanimously agreed to do as they believed God had commanded—by burning their beloved temple to the ground. However, on the third day, thereafter, the temple was not restored as prophesied but rather remained in ashes. Instead, what happened next was far more miraculous and mysterious and truly beyond their greatest imagination.”
Published by Covenant Books of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, Leon James Francis’ new book tells of great miracles that come from trusting faith when acting upon a difficult, seemingly impossible calling from God.
Following the announcement of Elon Musk’s buyout of Twitter News anchor Norah O’Donnell warned that Twitter will become a “haven for disinformation and hate speech.”
The Isle of Man reported today that "People who don’t believe in God could lead prayers before sittings of the House of Keys in future.
The recommendation comes from the house’s management and members’ standards committee, which was published this week
As it stands, the chaplain of the House of Keys leads prayers before every sitting."
ME: One of the dumbest things I have read today.
The recommendation comes from the house’s management and members’ standards committee, which was published this week
As it stands, the chaplain of the House of Keys leads prayers before every sitting."
ME: One of the dumbest things I have read today.
May 1, 2022: Christian Post: Christian singer discovered on TikTok makes history, reaches No. 1 on multiple charts
Christian singer Katy Nichole has made history by hitting No. 1 on multiple charts after a TikTok video of her debut single "In Jesus Name (God of Possible)" went viral.
Christian singer Katy Nichole has made history by hitting No. 1 on multiple charts after a TikTok video of her debut single "In Jesus Name (God of Possible)" went viral.
So does engaging in civil disobedience mean not following the New Testament counsel to be subject to authority? No, it’s important to note that the apostles’ guidance in the New Testament doesn’t say that we, as believers, are to always obey government authority, but that we are to be subject to it. As John Yoder, a Mennonite theologian and ethicist, explained: “The conscientious objector who refuses to do what his government asks him to do, but still remains under the sovereignty of that government and accepts the penalties which it imposes, . . . is being subordinate even though he is not obeying.”
Even though Peter and Paul preached subordination to government authority, they disobeyed their local leaders by continuing to preach the gospel when they were told to stop, leading to their arrest and imprisonment (cf. Acts 5; 12; 16). Also, Jesus anticipated that spreading the gospel could and would at times result in being handed over to authorities to be beaten and punished, and prepared His followers for this (Mark 13:9-11).
Early Adventist pioneers also understood that at times civil disobedience may be called for, while recognizing that this also meant being subject to the law and its penalties. Ellen White counseled that at times civil disobedience was necessary. “When the laws of men conflict with the word and law of God, we are to obey the latter, whatever the consequences may be. The law of our land requiring us to deliver a slave to his master, we are not to obey; and we must abide the consequences of violating this law.”
As believers our default position should be submission to authority and when possible, obedience to the laws of the land if they are not in direct conflict with our ability to follow the commands of God. But when we were faced with a conflict that requires obedience to government or submission to God, our first duty should always be to Him, regardless of the cost. -Jennifer Gray Woods; associate director of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Even though Peter and Paul preached subordination to government authority, they disobeyed their local leaders by continuing to preach the gospel when they were told to stop, leading to their arrest and imprisonment (cf. Acts 5; 12; 16). Also, Jesus anticipated that spreading the gospel could and would at times result in being handed over to authorities to be beaten and punished, and prepared His followers for this (Mark 13:9-11).
Early Adventist pioneers also understood that at times civil disobedience may be called for, while recognizing that this also meant being subject to the law and its penalties. Ellen White counseled that at times civil disobedience was necessary. “When the laws of men conflict with the word and law of God, we are to obey the latter, whatever the consequences may be. The law of our land requiring us to deliver a slave to his master, we are not to obey; and we must abide the consequences of violating this law.”
As believers our default position should be submission to authority and when possible, obedience to the laws of the land if they are not in direct conflict with our ability to follow the commands of God. But when we were faced with a conflict that requires obedience to government or submission to God, our first duty should always be to Him, regardless of the cost. -Jennifer Gray Woods; associate director of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
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